Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children's Health Podcast

Retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, PhD, connects space exploration to children's health and reveals what it really takes to thrive on long-duration missions — including playing the flute in orbit. She makes the case for the "A" in STEAM and shares advice for kids daring to dream big.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Cady Coleman, PhD, retired NASA astronaut, public speaker and author 

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

In the second part of our series on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), we speak with two Nemours associates and mothers of children diagnosed with CMV at different stages of their journeys. They share personal stories of diagnosis, advocacy, resilience, and the everyday realities of parenting children affected by CMV.

Nemours Children’s Health policy experts also join the conversation to discuss current efforts and ongoing needs at the state and federal levels, including raising awareness, improving screening and supporting families through initiatives like the STOP CMV Act and other legislative efforts.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:

Daniella Gratale, MA, Associate Vice President, Federal Affairs, Nemours Children's Health
Casey Osgood Landry, MPH, Senior Advisor, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Nemours Children's Health
Caroline Bruce, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES, NASM-CPT, mom of child with CMV, Wellness Program Manager and Peer Support Program Manager, Nemours Children’s Health
Brittany Fitts, RN, mom of child with CMV, Senior Data Analyst, Nemours Children’s Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common viruses, yet many people have never heard of it. CMV is a leading cause of non-genetic hearing loss in children. In part one of this two-part series, we take a medical look at CMV — what it is, how it affects developing babies and the latest advances in early screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Cedric Von Pritchett, MD, Otolaryngologist, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida
William Parkes, MD, Otolaryngologist, Medical Director, Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
Salwa Sulieman, DO, Infectious Disease physician, Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
Kathryn (Kat) Tribulski, AuD, Audiologist, Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Why are children across the U.S. falling behind on key health measures – and what can we do about it? Joseph R. Betancourt, MD, President, The Commonwealth Fund, joins us to explore solutions. We discuss the Fund’s long-standing work in child and maternal health, recent state health findings, and key factors affecting pediatric care, from policy and primary care investment to trust, data and urgent mental health needs.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Joseph R. Betancourt, MD, President, The Commonwealth Fund

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Clinical psychologist, parenting expert and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Lisa Damour joins us to explore the emotional lives of teenagers – what’s typical, when to worry and how adults and systems can better support adolescents today. Listen to Dr. Damour’s Ask Lisa podcast for more insights.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Lisa Damour, PhD, clinical psychologist, parenting expert and NY Times best-selling author

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

How can we guide boys through health, emotions and relationships in a culture that often tells them to “toughen up”? Christopher Pepper and Joanna Schroeder, co-authors of Talk to Your Boys: 16 Conversations to Help Teens and Tweens Grow into Confident, Compassionate Men, share practical, real-world advice. We cover everything from navigating social media and digital culture to building friendships and emotional skills, giving parents, grandparents, educators and health care providers the tools they need to start and sustain meaningful conversations with the teen boys in their lives.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Christopher Pepper, award-winning health educator and author
Joanna Schroeder, journalist and author

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we speak with Adela Casas-Melley, MD, Chair of Surgery, Nemours Children's Health. She shares her journey from a young Cuban immigrant in Miami to a leader in pediatric surgery, how her family’s belief in education guided her, the challenges she faced, and the legacy she’s creating through mentorship and advocacy.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring: 
Adela Casas-Melley, MD, Chair of Surgery, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

When technology promises to lighten the load but instead adds to it, what’s really going on? Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FAONL, Senior Vice President for Equity and Engagement, American Nurses Association,  joins us to share her journey from aspiring accountant to national nursing leader — and explores how AI, virtual care and innovation can actually empower nurses instead of overwhelming them.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Featuring:
Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FAONL, Senior Vice President for Equity and Engagement, American Nurses Association

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Nemours Children’s Health is proud to be the official Children’s Hospital of the Philadelphia Phillies. For the third year in a row, the Phillies welcomed our podcast team to share powerful stories from Childhood Cancer Awareness Night on September 13, 2025.

In our first segment, we talk with Douglas J. Harrison, MD, MS, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology/Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Inaugural Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Presidential Endowed Chair, Nemours Children’s Health, who reflects on his unlikely journey from college theater major to nationally recognized pediatric oncologist and researcher.

In our second segment, we meet 11-year-old pediatric cancer patient Vishaal and his sister, Sahasra, who share how life shifts for a family after a cancer diagnosis. We’re also joined by Vishaal’s clinician, Nicholas Manini, MD, Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Nemours Children's Health, who offers insights into Vishaal’s care and prognosis.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Douglas J. Harrison, MD, MS, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology/Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Inaugural Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Presidential Endowed Chair, Nemours Children’s Health
Nicholas Manini, MD, Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Nemours Children's Health
Vishaal A., pediatric cancer patient
Sahsra A., sister of a pediatric cancer patient

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Charles Johnson walked into a California hospital expecting joy – hours later, his wife, Kira, was gone after preventable delays and inaction. Charles shares how that devastating loss sparked the creation of 4Kira4Moms, a nonprofit dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes, advancing policy reform and supporting families impacted by maternal mortality. The U.S. is facing a maternal health crisis, with Black women most at risk. 4Kira4Moms works to close these gaps and make childbirth safe, empowering and free of fear for every mother.

Guest: Charles Johnson IV, Founder and President, 4Kira4Moms

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Asthma and food allergies remain major health concerns, especially as students head back to school. Chris Martinez, President and CEO, Asthma and Allergy Impact and Rescue (AAIR), joins us to share life-saving, practical solutions that keep kids healthy and learning. From stocking albuterol in schools to equipping families with diagnostic kits and advancing key policy initiatives, AAIR is transforming how communities respond to these chronic conditions.

Guest:  Chris Martinez, President and CEO, Asthma and Allergy Impact and Rescue (AAIR)

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Caring for a child with a chronic condition can feel overwhelming – especially when it involves coordinating specialists, therapies and countless appointments. That’s where Health Hug helps. By combining technology with a personal touch, Health Hug streamlines pediatric care, connects families to resources, and eases burdens for both parents and providers. On this episode, Health Hug’s CEO & Co-founder, Christina Sloan-Vélez, takes us back to the kitchen table where Health Hug was born as a result of personal, professional and world circumstances she was facing.

Guests:
Christina Sloan-Vélez, CEO & Co-Founder, Health Hug
Christina Nadaskay, RN, BSN, Chief Clinical Officer, Health Hug

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Mama Glow founder Latham Thomas shares her personal journey into birth work, breastfeeding and the difference between doulas and midwives. A SuperSoul 100 honoree, she’s advancing maternal health through advocacy, education and birth equity.

Guest: Latham Thomas, Founder, Mama Glow

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Tina Aswani-Omprakash began experiencing symptoms as a child – joint pain, eye inflammation and digestive issues – but no one connected them. Without a diagnosis, health insurance, or support due to the cultural stigma surrounding inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn’s disease, Tina endured a long and painful journey to understand her own body.

Today, she’s a patient advocate, storyteller and CEO of the South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA), using her lived experience to support others – especially young people and families – facing similar challenges.

Own Your Crohn’s
South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA)

Guest:
Tina Aswani-Omprakash, MPH, CEO, South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA)

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Anne Snowdon, PhD, Chief Scientific Research Officer, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), joins us to discuss how information, innovation and digital technology are transforming health care worldwide. From AI tools that support early-career clinicians to cross-border collaboration on system design, this conversation explores how digital health is improving outcomes, addressing workforce shortages and advancing a shift from disease management to whole child health.

Guest: 
Anne Snowdon, PhD, Chief Scientific Research Officer, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong health and success – yet reading scores across the U.S. are falling at an alarming rate.

In part two of our series on early literacy and health, we highlight Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart!, a proven, science-based program celebrating 20 years of impact.

Reading BrightStart! supports children from birth through first grade with early literacy curricula, educator training, and family resources – helping more young learners become confident readers and setting a foundation for lifelong health.

Resources:
Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! Family Resources
Harris Poll Executive Summary
Full Harris Poll Results

Guests:
Rebeca Grysko, PhD, CBIS, Special Education Teacher and School Liaison, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida
Jamie Williams, MEd, Manager, Intellectual Property and Curriculum Design, Nemours Children's Health
Dawn Espinoza, MEd, Educational Support Supervisor, Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Florida
Samantha Taylor, Quality Performance Specialist, Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Florida

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Early literacy is one of the strongest indicators of lifelong health and success – yet reading scores across the U.S. are declining at an alarming rate. In part one of this two-part series, we dive into what the latest data reveals, how the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the literacy crisis, and what actions educators and health care providers can take to reverse these trends.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! continues its mission to help every child become a successful reader through early literacy curricula, educator training and family resources for children from birth to first grade.

Resources:
Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! Family Resources
Harris Poll Executive Summary
Full Harris Poll Results

Guests:
Kate Blackburn, MSW, Director of Practice and Prevention, National Office of Policy & Prevention, Nemours Children’s Health

Rebeca Grysko, PhD, CBIS, Special Education Teacher and School Liaison, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 60 million Americans – one in five – live in rural areas, including 12 million children. But hospitals in these communities face growing challenges: cybersecurity threats, aging infrastructure, staffing shortages and limited funding are all jeopardizing access to care.

Laura Kreofsky, Director of Rural Health, Microsoft Philanthropies, highlights the critical need to bolster rural health care systems. Through efforts like the Rural Health AI Innovation Lab (RHAIL), Microsoft is helping rural hospitals enhance cybersecurity, access affordable AI tools and strengthen collaboration.

Guest:
Laura Kreofsky, MHA, MBA, PMP, CDH-E, Director of Rural Health, Microsoft Philanthropies

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Dr. Robert Pearl, former CEO of the Permanente Medical Group and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, discusses his latest book, ChatGPT, MD. He shares how generative AI could transform health care by empowering patients and clinicians through real-time data analysis and insights. These AI tools could significantly improve chronic disease management, helping to reduce the incidence of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. In this wide-ranging interview, we explore his vision for the potential of generative AI in reshaping the future of health care.

Guest:
Robert Pearl, MD, author, podcaster, former CEO of the Permanente Medical Group, Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Achondroplasia advocate Chandler Crews, founder of The Chandler Project, joins us to discuss life with the most common form of skeletal dysplasia. She shares her personal journey, including her decision to undergo limb-lengthening surgery. We also explore emerging treatments and the evolving conversation around advocacy, research and innovation in the achondroplasia community.

Guest:
Chandler Crews, Founder, The Chandler Project, and Orthopedic Care Coordinator & Liaison, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Dr. Jackie Gerhart, Chief Medical Officer for Epic, and Phil Lindeman, Vice President of Data and Research at Epic, join us to explore how real-world data is transforming pediatric care with the power of Epic's Cosmos and EpicShare platforms. We also discuss how data-sharing collaborations across health systems are advancing pediatric research and innovation, with a special focus on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Kevin Dysart from Nemours Children's Health. 

GUESTS:

Dr. Jackie Gerhart, Chief Medical Officer, Epic

Phil Lindeman, Vice President of Data and Research, Epic

Carol Vassar, host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

The United Nations and World Health Organization have long recognized health as a fundamental human right. Yet barriers to care persist — not only in the United States, but around the world.

PERSOWN Connect is introducing a bold new care model designed to help break down those barriers. Its innovative platform empowers underserved communities by combining AI-powered diagnostic tools, microloans and satellite connectivity to deliver life-changing care and promote economic growth globally.

Guests:
Carey Officer, President, PERSOWN Connect
Deborah Maufi, MD, MBA, Strategic EU/Africa Consultant, The Netherlands
Arthur Pereira, CEO, Missão Sal da Terra in Uberlandia, Brazil

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

From melatonin to probiotics, more parents than ever are turning to herbs and supplements to support their children’s health. But are these products safe? Do they work? And how can pediatricians partner with families to make informed decisions?

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Cora Collette Breuner of Seattle Children’s shares her insight on the rising use of natural remedies in pediatrics, exploring what families are using, how they’re making these decisions, and why healthcare providers must ask the right questions of their patients and their parents. 

GUEST:

Cora Collett Breuner, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Specialist, Seattle Children's

Carol Vassar, host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Hurricanes, wildfires, power outages — disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. But how do they affect children’s health, and how can we better prepare? This episode looks at disaster response through a pediatric lens to highlight the unique risks kids face and the steps we can take to protect them.

We hear from Dr. Cindy Calderon in Puerto Rico, who shares lessons from Hurricane Maria and the 2020 earthquake, and Malia D'Alio from Seattle Children's, who reflects on the 2023 Maui wildfires and the importance of community resilience.

Guests:
Cindy Calderon, MD, Pediatrician, Past President, Puerto Rico Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Malia D'Alio, Manager, Workforce Community & Connection, Seattle Children's

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Mental health is an essential part of overall health – and pediatric primary care providers are increasingly serving on the front lines. With one in five children facing a diagnosable mental health disorder and rates of anxiety and depression on the rise, the routine pediatric well visit has become a critical opportunity for early identification, intervention and support.

To explore how primary care practices are integrating behavioral health screening and care into their everyday work, we brought together experts from across the country – including rural Alaska – for a roundtable discussion. Together, they examined the benefits and challenges of this integrated care model.

Guests: 

Rebecca A. Baum, MD, FAAP, Chief, Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Marian F. Earls, MD, MTS, FAAP, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician, Pediatric Specialists, Cone Health
Joan Jeung, MD, MPH, MS, Clinical Professor, Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
Elisa Marie Rosier, MD, FAAP, Pediatrician, Owner, Pacific Pediatrics

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

When a parent is recovering from a substance use disorder, stigma can impact the entire family – including kids. This episode explores how that stigma affects children and what physicians and others can do to promote a more compassionate approach in pediatric health care.

Guests: 

Andrew Terranella, MD, MPH, FAAP, Medical Epidemiologist, Division of Overdose Prevention, Centers for Disease Control
Rachel H. Alinsky, MD, MPH, Adolescent & Addiction Medicine, Medical Director, Substance Use Intervention & Treatment Unit, University of Maryland College Park, University Health Center

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 children between the ages of 3 and 17 has a diagnosable mental health disorder, and more than half of those children never receive treatment. The reasons most cited for this lack in care include problems getting an appointment, issues related to cost, and lack of access to services in the child’s geographical area. Certainly, these challenges are not good for kids in need of treatment; it also places extraordinary pressure on the people trying to treat them, including licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors, many of whom carry overwhelming caseloads. 

A model developed by telehealth provider Handspring Health is working toward alleviating these provider pressures — increasing access to clinical support, investing in clinician training and prioritizing manageable caseloads.

Guest:
Amy Kranzler, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer, Handspring Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Dr. Anita Ravi, President, CEO and Founder of PurpLE Health Foundation, shares how the organization provides free, trauma-informed health and mental health care to children and adults affected by violence, including human trafficking and sexual assault. PurpLE Health Foundation also uses data to identify best practices and trains other providers to better care for populations facing threats and barriers to optimal health.

Note, this conversation includes sensitive topics that some listeners may find upsetting.

Guest: Anita Ravi, MD, MPH, MSHP, FAAFP, President, CEO and Founder, PurpLE Health Foundation

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

We honor National Nurses Week by featuring an in-depth interview with Margo B. Minissian, PhD, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAHA, FAAN, cardiac nurse practitioner and leader, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles. Dr. Minissian's broad scope of work bridges bedside care and scientific research, and she is a passionate champion for a future where nurse-led innovation drives better outcomes for all. 

Watch the video episode on our Nemours Children's YouTube channel.

Guest:
Margo B. Minissian, PhD, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAHA, FAAN, Executive Director, Geri & Richard Brawerman Nursing Institute, Simms/Mann Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Nurse Education, Innovation and Research, Assistant Professor, Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

In 2024, an estimated 186 million health care records were breached across the U.S. Jen Waltz and Rob Courtney, both cybersecurity experts, share an update on the state of health care cybersecurity, outline actions being taken by regulators and providers, and offer tips to help protect private health information.

Guests:
Rob Courtney, Healthcare CTO, Carahsoft
Jennifer Waltz, Chief Cybersecurity Officer, IMAJENATIVE

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

According to Larry Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP, President and CEO of Nemours Children's Health, delivering on Whole Child Health is the next step toward creating the healthiest generations of children. This approach emphasizes accountability for every child's health — not just for those in geographic areas served by Nemours Children’s and not just for kids in need of medical care — for all children and to ensure care and partnerships that address all factors that influence children’s health and well-being. Whole Child Health includes education and literacy, food security, safe housing, and freedom from violence, in addition to medical care. Dr. Moss shares his vision for Whole Child Health in this episode of Well Beyond Medicine.

Watch the video episode on the Nemours Children's YouTube channel.

Guest:
R. Lawrence “Larry” Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP, President and CEO, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

The Family Resource Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, offers a fresh approach to the traditional family resource center. For starters, it’s run entirely by volunteers who will be future health care providers. These student volunteers work closely with community partners and the hospital’s social work team to share up-to-date resources with families. The goal is to meet both immediate and long-term social needs – like food, clothing, transportation and housing – that directly impact a child’s health and well-being.

Guests:
Laura Chilcutt, MD, Medical Director of Medical-Social Impact, Nemours Children’s Health, Florida
Amrita Singh, Resource Navigator Lead, Family Resource Center, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Peggy Greco, PhD, Vice President and Chief Patient Experience Officer at Nemours Children's Health, joins us to discuss patient experience, including the Speak Up program, which empowers families to share feedback that improves children's health and safety. She also explores how AI enhances patient care.

Guest:
Peggy Greco, PhD, Vice President, Chief Patient Experience Officer, Nemours Children's Health

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

For many residents of Wilmington, Delaware’s Jessup Street neighborhood, Nemours Children’s Health, Jessup Street is more than a primary care office – it’s a trusted source of support in both joyful and challenging times. That trust and loyalty stem from the dedicated people who work there — we meet two of them in this episode.

Guests:
Hal C. Byck, MD, primary care physician, Nemours Children’s Health, Jessup Street
Shamiya Gould, office manager, Nemours Children's Health, Jessup Street

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

It is essential to support children with developmental differences at an early age, but they often miss the opportunity for early intervention services provided under federal law. Pediatricians Toni Whitaker, MD, and Jennifer Poon, MD, join us to increase awareness of early intervention services for children ages 3-5 years. They provide insights on the work they're doing with pediatric peer providers to equip them with skills to facilitate equitable access to these services.

Guests:
Toni Whitaker, MD, Professor and Chief of Developmental Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
Jennifer Poon, MD, Professor and Division Chief for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Can health IT be leveraged to promote equity and reduce bias? Dr. Alison Curfman believes it can, with humans playing a crucial role. In this exploration, we discuss the importance of clean data for building AI language models and how health IT can help reduce bias while advancing health equity.

Guest:
Alison Curfman, MD, pediatric emergency physician and co-founder, Imagine Pediatrics

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event: experiencing or witnessing violence, neglect, or abuse, just to name a few. Trauma comes in varied sizes and shapes and affects just about everyone. But what happens when our children experience traumas? 

We discuss childhood trauma and trauma-informed care with two experts in the field. 

GUESTS:

Khadijia Tribié Reid, MD, MPH, Pediatric Medical Director, MedNorth Health Center, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine Wilmington, North Carolina

 Mandy O'Hara, MD, MPH, TCTSY-F, ABOIM, Attending Physician and Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator Montefiore Hospital, New York

Carol Vassar, host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Neonatologists Benjamin Courchia, MD, and Daphna Barbeau, MD, co-hosts of The Incubator podcast, recorded a special series on-site at the latest Hot Topics in Neonatology conference. 

Tune in for highlights from top neonatology experts!

The Incubator podcast featuring Dr. Nathalie Maître, Director of Early Development and Cerebral Palsy Research at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The Incubator podcast featuring Dr. Dieter Wolke, Professor of Developmental Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

The Incubator podcast featuring Dr. Lehana Thabane, Professor of Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

The Incubator podcast featuring Dr. Martin Stocker, Head of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care at the Children’s Hospital of Central Switzerland

The Incubator podcast featuring Dr. Klaus F. Rabe, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Kiel, Germany 

Learn more about Hot Topics in Neonatology 2025

Guests:
Benjamin Courchia, MD, Co-host, Incubator Podcast, and NICU Director, HCA Florida University Hospital
Daphna Barbeau, MD, Co-host, Incubator Podcast, and Director of Neonatal Neurodevelopment at Envision Health, HCA University Hospital

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

In the five years since COVID-19 shook the world, the use of telemedicine and virtual platforms to deliver health care has become commonplace, helping to break down barriers of distance, transportation, and time. Those challenges still exist today, and the evolution of virtual health care delivery continues, led by innovators like Nikole Benders-Hadi, MD, Chief Medical Officer, of Talkspace. 

Dr. Benders-Hadi joined us to talk about the current state and future of virtual mental health services, including the growth of asynchronous text-based therapy, the use of large language AI models to determine the risk for self-harm among clients, and the ways Talkspace is supporting its therapists in maintaining client empathy in the virtual health care space. 

Watch episode 125 on our Nemours YouTube Channel.

Guest:
Nikole Benders-Hadi, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Talkspace

Carol Vassar, host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Project ECHO is a virtual training and mentorship model that connects health care specialists across disciplines to share knowledge and recommendations. Originally created to expand access to specialty care in underserved areas, it connects a hub of experts with community-based providers, empowering them with the knowledge and support needed to serve their communities. This model is being used to help early childhood educators address the mental health needs of young children, providing trauma-informed guidance to those who need it most, and making a difference in classrooms nationwide. 

Guests:
LaTrice L. Dowtin, PhD, LCPC, NCSP, RPT-S, CEO & Lead Clinician, PlayfulLeigh Psyched, and Lourie Center’s TIPS ECHO lead
Alfreda Clark, Center Director, West Lakes Early Learning Center, AdventHealth, and Lourie Center’s TIPS ECHO participant

Carol Vassar, host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Nurses are the backbone of health care. Yet as artificial intelligence gains a foothold in the day-to-day work of nurses, the way they practice is changing. What does the influx of AI technology mean for the future of nursing? Nurse innovator and futurist Dr. Bonnie Clipper shares her insights.

Watch the video of this podcast episode on the Nemours YouTube channel.

Guest:
Bonnie Clipper, DNP, MA, MBA, RN, CENP, FACHE, FAAN, Founder & CEO, Innovation Advantage

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Dr. Jason Langheier, founder and CEO of Foodsmart, is a leading advocate for the "food as medicine" movement across the United States. Driven by his passion for health equity and sustainable obesity prevention, he’s dedicated to making nutritious food accessible and affordable for all. In this insightful conversation, he shares how his childhood in rural New York shaped his mission and discusses the broader impact of food on health.

Guest:
Dr. Jason Langheier, MD, MPH, Founder and CEO, Foodsmart

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

In 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued new guidelines on addressing childhood obesity, including the use of anti-obesity medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic – both approved for use in children ages 12 and older. We'll examine the guidance as two childhood obesity medicine specialists weigh their opinions on medication-assisted obesity control.

Guests:
Claudia Fox, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Co-Director of the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, University of Minnesota
Jason Langheier, MD, MPH, Founder & CEO, Foodsmart

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Texting during a crisis has become a modern lifeline for millions, providing immediate support when it's needed most, especially for young people. Crisis Text Line provides a free, confidential, and discreet service, offering assistance to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Whether through text, SMS, web chat or WhatsApp, trained counselors are on-hand 24/7, year-round, transforming mental health care support. Shairi R. Turner, MD, Chief Health Officer, Crisis Text Line, shares how the organization is combining empathy with innovation to offer mental health support.

Guest:
Shairi R. Turner, MD, MPDH, Chief Health Officer, Crisis Text Line

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Each year, the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) marks the first Wednesday in February as National Girls and Women in Sports Day. For nearly 40 years, this day has raised awareness about the physical, educational, and psychological benefits of sports for women and girls throughout their lives. WSF was founded in 1974 by tennis champion and lifelong equality advocate Billie Jean King, who turned a $5,000 Athlete of the Year award into a $100 million nonprofit. Fifty years in, the organization continues to conduct research, develop programs, and lead advocacy efforts to help women and girls reach their full potential in sports and life.  

On this episode, we’re joined by WSF CEO Danette Leighton who shares more about their research-informed programs and advocacy and how WSF is working to ensure all girls have access to sport — and its healthy benefits.

To learn more about the Women’s Sports Foundation, please visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.

Guest:
Danette Leighton, CEO, Women's Sports Foundation

Carol Vassar, host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) in the health care landscape was developed in the mid-1960s to fill a need for additional primary care pediatrics services for the Baby Boom generation. Today, there are more than 385,000 licensed NPs across the U.S., and their number is expected to grow by 45% between now and 2032. 

Joining us on this episode to discuss the role of the nurse practitioner in the current and future health care landscape is Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, associate dean of clinical affairs and assistant professor of nursing at Columbia University, and President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Guest:
Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, President, American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

There’s a bold idea bubbling to the surface in health care: if we want to address the numerous problems regarding health and wellness in the U.S., as a nation, we must understand what health is, pay for health, and start with children. Woven into this philosophy is the concept of whole child health, which is about addressing 100% of the things that impact a child’s health 100% of the time. In 2021, Nemours Children’s Health founded the Whole Child Health Alliance to help advance the concept of “whole child health."
 
While there is no single solution for achieving whole child health, there are models already in place in communities across the nation that are integrative,  collaborative, and effective. In this second of a two-part series on Whole Child Health, we examine a model in Washington state that aims to diagnose and treat behavioral health concerns in children before they reach crisis levels. This model involves a unique partnership between HopeSparks Family Services, a behavioral health and family services provider, and Pediatrics Northwest, a pediatric health care provider. 

Featuring:
Mary Ann Woodruff, MD, FAAP, Physician Champion for Care Transformation, Pediatrics Northwest, Tacoma, WA
Joe Le Roy, LICSW, President & CEO, HopeSparks Family Services, Tacoma, WA

Learn more about the Whole Child Health Alliance.

Advancing the Key Elements of Whole Child Health: State Case Studies and Policy Recommendations (PDF)

Carol Vassar, host/producer

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

Children’s health and well-being are affected by their surroundings – the schools they attend, the places they play, the food they eat, and their relationships with the adults around them. In 2021, Nemours Children’s Health founded the Whole Child Health Alliance to help advance the concept of “whole child health." Learn how this group of children’s hospitals, health insurance companies, think tanks, advocacy organizations, and others work together to address the multi-faceted needs of kids through health care delivery and financing approaches that keep the “whole child” in mind.

Guests:
Daniella Gratale, MA, Associate Vice President, Federal Affairs, Nemours Children's Health
Joshua Traylor, MPH, Executive Director, Center for Health and Research Transformation
Jim Perrin, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Advancing the Key Elements of Whole Child Health: State Case Studies and Policy Recommendations (PDF)

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

From the day she was born, Kate Laver's medical conditions were such that she required tube feeding to thrive and grow. But there was one problem: Kate failed to thrive and grow on the formulas she was given. What followed was a tale of parental determination, desperation, and triumph that gave rise to the company Kate Farms, which has revolutionized tube feeding for millions of people in hospitals and homes across the U.S.

Watch the video of this podcast episode on the Nemours YouTube channel.

Guest:
Brett Matthews, Chairman and CEO, Kate Farms

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.

As a population health disparities research scientist, clinical psychologist, and tenured professor, Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, CMHC, has emerged as one of the nation's foremost experts on racial trauma, healing and health equity. A one-time White House Fellow and Special Advisor on military mental health in the Obama administration, Dr. Powell joined us in person during HLTH in Las Vegas to talk about her groundbreaking work addressing mental health disparities among men and boys of color, and how health equity, once truly realized, can benefit everyone.

Watch the video of this podcast episode on the Nemours YouTube channel.

Guest:
Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, CMHC, Tech Advisor, The Evidencewatch Collective and former Chief Purpose Officer, Headspace

Host/Producer: Carol Vassar

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. 

Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org.